In a statement on Friday, the Department of Health (DoH) said it acknowledges the outcome of the ballot, but said it has not yet received details of the planned collective action.
It stressed that any action must respect contractual obligations, protect patient safety, and maintain service access.
The department said it recognises that the primary care system is under “considerable and sustained pressure” while also acknowledging the dedication of GPs and their teams in meeting patient demand.
The DoH stated that, given the department’s well-known financial constraints, the additional £9.5 million offered in the 2025/26 GMS [General Medical Services] contract “represented the best possible offer.”
“It is a matter of regret that the department has not been able to reach agreement,” the spokesperson added.
The department said, as stated by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on 19 May, that it remains open to discussions on securing the future of general practice.
They said an invitation has been extended to NIGPC to begin formal negotiations on a new GMS contract, aimed at stabilising and modernising general practice, making it more equitable and aligned with population needs as part of a neighbourhood model of care.